Smoke From Wildfires Blowing Into Minnesota

St. Paul, MN (KROC-AM News) - It’s not from the massive fires burning in California, but officials say smoke from wildfires in western Canada is pushing into the state and will likely be thick enough to be unhealthy in parts of western Minnesota over the next couple days. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an air quality for that region through 10 a.m. on Saturday.

State officials say periods with unhealthy air will occur in a wide area that includes Worthington and Marshall and stretches all the way to Roseau in far northern Minnesota. Conditions are predicted to improve by Saturday afternoon when the winds are expected to switch to the south and push the smokey air back into Canada.

While the smoke will affect everyone, the MPCA says it will especially impact so-called sensitive groups, including people with asthma or other chronic respiratory conditions, those with heart disease or high blood pressure, along with young children and senior citizens. The list also covers anyone engaged in extended or heavy physical activity outdoors.